Finding time & balance

I've been very busy lately with travel and various obligations that I haven't had time to invest in new work. I'm feeling pulled in too many directions and unfortunately the one direction I need to head in the most, the studio, has been out of reach. Because of this, I'm feeling a bit out of sorts. I find this happens to me when I'm "out of balance"; that is, I'm not taking care of my creative needs on a regular basis. I need to set up a schedule so that I stop putting my studio time after everything else gets done.

Also, I've decided to take a different direction from my usual way of working and give up control, for an anticipated outcome, and just try to see what happens through "play" and experimentation. Having focused on printing editions, I feel it's time to loosen up and explore the unpredictability of monotypes. So, with this in mind I plan to get back in the studio next week and refocus my direction and hopefully recalibrate my psyche.

Company in the Woods

Ahhh, spring is in the air and a young turkey's fancy turns to .....

This fine specimen showed up in the woods just outside my back deck, in all his feathered splendor, and spent some time strutting around trying to attract some attention. Quite the sight! Sorry to say that when a female finally did show up, she looked him over and keep on walking. Well, there's always another day.

So Much Rejection

Well, it's been a time of rejections for me. I sent three prints off to the IPCNY New Prints / 2010 Spring and received word last week that they weren't accepted. This morning I received an email notice from the Center for Contemporary Printmaking that my submission for the 2010 Footprint International had been rejected. It's all up to the preferences of the judges and in the art world, you've got to be able to take rejection.

So, it's back to the drawing board (and the printing press!)

"Every rejection is incremental payment on your dues that in some way will be translated back into your work." James Lee Burke

Another Print "Sketch"

This 4" X 6" print was created with an ImagOn plate and includes a relief printed texture, watercolor and cotton thread. The image was assembled in Photo Shop using some of my personal photos and scanned lace. I'll call this one "Cradle II". (I like the play on words.)

During my studio spring cleaning, I came across an antique relief woodblock that I had picked up on my travels; probably used to print fabric. I wanted to use an off-set again so I inked up the block and printed it on a sheet of acetate. This allowed me to use the acetate image to apply a second color ink to the intaglio inked main plate.
I like the effect of the relief block over the intaglio plate.

Small Prints

I've been playing around with images for small prints suitable for exchange projects. I was hoping to send a few pieces off to the BIMPE (6th Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition) but as usual, I may not meet the mailing deadline.

I'm forging ahead anyway with the idea that these small works will be "sketches" for larger prints. I can easily experiment with images, plate development, inks and layering and work out ideas before moving on to larger plates.



This piece measures 4" X 4.5" and was created with an ImagOn plate inked & wiped as an intaglio in light blue gray. I printed a rubber stamp directly on the plate before printing to create an off-set bull's eye. The second plate is a Solarplate; inked as a relief and printed over the first.



Turbulence

Fabulous Flat Files

Spring cleaning is underway in the studio. It's amazing how quickly things begin to pile up and before you know it there are so many stacks of paper and prints laying around that you can't fine what you're looking for. So I decided to go on a mission to see if I could solve my print storage problems.

Everyone I spoke to said that flat files were the way to go. However, after a little on line research I was convinced that I was out of luck; the price of a new flat file was over $800 for one 5 drawer unit! I was beginning to consider other storage alternatives when someone suggested craig's list.

After a quick search on craig's list, I found just what I was looking for. Less than 2 hours away in Massachusetts, was a Stacore unit in great condition, with a base, for only $400. My husband and I picked it up yesterday and it is now sitting in the studio ready to be filled. Sometimes lady luck is on your side!

Spring Fever

Spring is a time for new beginnings and I enthusiastically welcome the opportunity for a fresh start. After traveling and being away from the studio for few weeks, I'm more than ready to tackle new projects. In fact I have so many ideas running through my head that I'm experiencing a creative brain freeze! My plan for the week is to get organized; review the options I have for upcoming shows and exchanges, track due dates and set some REALISTIC goals. With any luck, I'll have a couple of pieces underway by the end of the week

As the old Irish Proverb reminds us, "If you do not sow in the spring you will not reap in the autumn."